Commuting - Brooks Saddle

Put a B17 on my road bike (Trek 1500) and it was hard as a rock. I switched it over to my mountain bike which has a suspenion seatpost and those fat tires. Left it on the mt. bike for a few hundred miles, then switched it back to the road bike. The sweet spot was nice and comfy. It worked for me, just thought I would pass it on.

any weather or mud problems to date? know that they can get damaged easy in weather

I want one, but that problem is my commute is really short (10 miles every day) and that means it will be a few days until it's properly broken in. That's alot of sore-butt days.

So far, no weather problems. I used Proofide and if it rains, I just put a cover over it. A shower cap or a plastic grocery bag will work.

I want one, but that problem is my commute is really short (10 miles every day) and that means it will be a few days until it's properly broken in. That's alot of sore-butt days.

People make it sound like you won't be able to sit down for weeks, but it isn't really too bad. I bought a B17 this spring. It was initially a bit uncomfortable, but I honestly have to say it was no worse than a cheapo plastic saddle. Every day it gets a little softer and more comfy until you can't bear to ride on anything else.

Go for it. If you want to get it over with quicker, just do some extra riding with the saddle at first. After 50 to 100 miles (depending on the rider's weight to some degree), the saddle will be feeling pretty decent. On the other hand, you may want to do fewer miles per day during the breakin period so as to not be so hard on your posterior. Jumping on a brand new Brooks and riding 75 miles WILL have you hurting bad. Keep it closer to 10-20 miles per day at first to give your cheeks a little time to relax between rides.

My B-17 felt great right out of the box. Like you say, it is just getting better.

I just switched to a Brooks saddle last week and I too have a short commute. I expected to be sore for a couple of days, but it never happened. This week, well today, I noticed it rides just a wee bit better. Unfortunately tomorrow thunder storms are forcast, so I'll take the rain bike.

I just started using a B17 on a new bike. I think it is comfy right out of the box, but my rear is already toughened up by the rock-hard seat on my roadie.

I started with a hard rock B-66 saddle, but like almost all leather products, they will "break-in" after about a day or two. I did not have any trouble whatsover with mine and do not even worry about weather problems unless you abused yours like riding it after it has been SOAKED. Let it air-dry.

Allright, it's on my to-buy list, right after the clipless pedals + shoes.

Would a brooks look goofy on an italian machine?

Mine took about about 3 days to break in.

I haven't found the brooks saddles to be particularly uncomfortable even before they're broken in, although I've not ridden on a real hard one.

I'm trying to figure out how to prevent the black **** from getting on my pants when it gets hot. I'm going to try treating it with wax.

Did my first ride on a B17 this morning. Felt great! It's a loaner from another BF member and not sure how many miles are on it, but have to say, I'm getting one of my own soon!

Would a brooks look goofy on an italian machine?

Nope. Brooks of England was bought by Selle Royal in 2002.

Nope. Brooks of England was bought by Selle Royal in 2002.

well my plastic saddle is on it's last leg. Maybe it is time for a brooks :)

Every day it gets a little softer and more comfy until you can't bear to ride on anything else.
+1 This man speaks the truth.

I rode my old, all-weather beater mtb w/ the 1st gen Specialized BG saddle and after 10 mins. was seriously considering a new saddle because it wasn't as comfortable as the Brooks. And this is a saddle I've had for close to 10 years! I've ridden long distances on it and commuted daily on it and I'm just noticing it's not as comfy as the Brooks that I've had for 4 months.

As always, Sheldon Brown has advice on breaking in leather saddles (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html).

[e] A new Brooks B17 is on it's way to replace my Specialized BG. Anyone want a ratty old saddle?

vis a vis brooks saddles--believe the hype.:) :) :)

I just put a Brooks Team Pro on my road bike. Wow, it's hard compared to the B-17. I believe the leather is a bit thicker. I'm sure my big butt will break it in soon though..:D

I just put a Brooks Team Pro on my road bike. Wow, it's hard compared to the B-17. I believe the leather is a bit thicker. I'm sure my big butt will break it in soon though..:D

I've heard the same about the Team Pro. Sheldon's website has some recommendations on how to kick start the process.

The one thing about the Brooks is that the natural angle of it is a little different (more nose-up) than most other saddles. I wonder if all the deal about extended break-in has to do with people who haven't tried fiddling with the angle vis a vis their previous saddle?

Anyway, I recently got a couple that I don't consider broken in yet, and they're at least as comfortable as what they replaced.

any weather or mud problems to date? know that they can get damaged easy in weather

Not "easily", it's very straightforward... If you let it get SOAKING WET (like, leave it out in the rain uncovered for hours) and ride it WHILE it is soaking wet, it will stretch.

Otherwise, do whatever you want, it'll be fine. Ride it all day in the rain, no problem (your butt keeps it dry enough).

I just started using a B17 on a new bike. I think it is comfy right out of the box, but my rear is already toughened up by the rock-hard seat on my roadie.
I have to second Dead Extra's comments. The only thing I noticed about my B17 the first couple of days was it was very slick. I kept thinking I was going to slide right off of it. Other than that it was a good fit from the beginning.

Regarding rain:

With full fenders (this is a commuter/utility bike after all) and the Brooks showercap cover, my B17 stays perfectly dry in any weather. Before I got the showercap, I was using plastic bags, and it was hit-or-miss, depending on whether or not the bag had any small holes in it or if I accudentally trapped some moisture on the wrong side of the bag. The showercap seems far less troublesome and has a handy drawstring to keep it in place to boot. As long as you have some means of keeping wheel spray from making it up onto the underside of the saddle, the showercap works great.

I'm trying to figure out how to prevent the black **** from getting on my pants when it gets hot. I'm going to try treating it with wax.

I have a waterproof cover for my B17s. If I am wearing light-coloured pants, I put the cover on the saddle regardless of weather conditions.

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I'm trying to figure out how to prevent the black **** from getting on my pants when it gets hot. I'm going to try treating it with wax.

let yer britches git all black! rock that ***** wif pride, duder! yer a cyclist!!!:) :) :beer:

I have a question for the Brooks saddle owners.

I can't find the saddle locally to look it over. Could someone tell me how wide is the nose of the B17 & B17 narrow saddles? I can find the width of the back of the saddles on the web. I want to make sure that the nose is not too wide.

Thanks.

I'm trying to remember, but the noses should not be noticabely different widths. I'm riding my Team Pro today and don't have my calipers so I can't give a definitive number. Email Wallingford Bikes and they'll know for sure.

I'm trying to figure out how to prevent the black **** from getting on my pants when it gets hot. I'm going to try treating it with wax.

You now know why cycling shorts were, traditionally, black!

Regards,
Alan